Madonna, Jay-Z To Express Themselves With YouTube Channels

Hoping to further bait online users with something other than videos of kittens on Roombas and wannabe singers doing bad cover versions, Google is ponying up $100 million to producers for the launch of about 100 new YouTube channels featuring original content. TheGuardian reports that, once the bulk of the channels are launched in 2012, they’ll be creating up to 25 hours of original YouTube programming a day. Those getting in on the action include Madonna, Jay-Z, Ashton Kutcher and satire news organization The Onion.

Also involved is American Idol and America’s Got Talent production company Fremantle Media, which is said to be launching a YouTube channel dealing with pets and animals.